Mercury type electrical switch



1967 J. MOSCHETTA ETAL 3,

MERCURY TYPE ELECTRICAL SWITCH Filed Sept. 16, 1965 FIGURE 2 FIGURE IFIGURE 3 hvvzwom JdsiPH Mo scHE rrA AND BEAM/MUN MoscHE 77 United StatesPatent 3,356,812 MERCURY TYPE ELECTRICAL SWITCH Joseph Moschetta, 535Dixie Drive, 15235, and Benjamin Moschetta, 1440 Abers Creek Road,15239, both of Pittsburgh, Pa.

Filed Sept. 16, 1965, Ser. No. 487,657 2 Claims. (Cl. 200-152) ABSTRACTOF THE DISCLOSURE An electrical contacting device in which an enclosurefor the moving electrical contact is formed by a male cone and a femalecone having their respective bases located in close proximity to oneanother, the apex of the female cone serving as a bowl for the movingelectrical contact.

This invention relates to a mercury type electrical switch. Morespecifically it relates to a change from the tubular type mercury switchcommonly in use. However, this is not to be construed as an idea tosupplant the presently used switch.

Presently used mercury switches, while adequate for their intended uses,can only operate along linear planes whether to make or break a circuit.That is, if the switch is moved in order to make or break a circuit itwill function electrically faster or slower depending on the directionin which it is moved. This is because of the contact arrangement in somecases and the tubular construction.

The present invention is directed to a universal type switch such thatmovement in any direction of the switch from its original plane causesoperation equally in any direction. This being the case, the switch hasmany uses at the present time for which, to the best knowledge of theinventors, no device of a comparable nature exists.

One object of this invention is to permit an electrical contact to movein any direction (360) from its point of origin to break an electricalcircuit.

A further object of this invention is to permit an electrical contact tomove in any direction (360") to make an electrical circuit.

A further object of this invention is to control or govern the breakingof an electrical circuit by means of a path both circular and conical inshape.

A further object of this invention is to control, as in the above, thebreaking of an electrical circuit more precisely by means of anadjustable contact.

Various other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafterbecome more fully apparent from the following description of thedrawings, illustrating a presently preferred embodiment thereof andwherein:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of both sections not quite in theapplied position;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the inside of the upper section;

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the inside of the lower section.

In this description references will be made to all of the drawings.FIGURE 1 shows the complete switch, section 11 and section 22. Thesections are shown apart from each other for descriptive purposes. Inthis case both sections are made of transparent plastic in order toobserve the mercury, however, any suitable non-conductor could have beenused. The plan view, FIGURE 2 and FIGURE 3 show the switch to becircular. Then from FIGURE 1 it can be seen that when the switch isassembled it will be cylindrical in shape. However, at the inside end ofsection 11 is a male cone as shown in FIG- URE 1. At the inside end ofsection 22 is a female cone also shown in FIGURE 1. Imbedded in section11 and at the base of the male cone is an iron wire 11a formed in acircle. This iron wire is conductor 11a. Where conductor 11a completesthe circle it turns at a right angle and goes through and out section11. The extended portion of conductor 11a outside of section 11 acts asa terminal to which a wire can be fastened. In the center and throughsection 11 is threaded a screw extending about /2 beyond the outside ofsection 11. The extended portion allows for adjusting screw 11b in andout of the mercury M and also for securing a nut 11c and a washer 11dfor purposes of locking the same. Screw 11b, will now be termedconductor 11b. The combination of conductor 11b, nut 11c, and washer 11dalso serve as a binding post. The apex of the female cone as shown inFIGURE 1 serves as a reservoir for the mercury M, the moving contact. Itwill be noted that the female cone does not terminate in a true apex buttapers so that a binder head screw can be inserted through a hole atthis point.

Obviously, when the mercury M is placed in the reservoir it makescontact with the 7 screw which is now termed screw 22b. At the base ofthe female cone of section 22 and somewhat similar to conductor 11a isan iron wire 22a. It is imbedded in the plastic to about one half itscross sectional area, the exposed portion being the contacted surface.This wire now becomes conductor 22a and where it completes the circle itturns at a right angle and passes through section 22 the extendedportion acting as a binding post. A sufiicient number of threads tosecure a bracket for mounting the switch are left on screw 22b. Thiscompletes the component description of the switch.

The following is a description of the switch in its operation of closinga circuit. Mercury M is placed in the reservoir in the sufficientquantity to bridge conductor 11a and conductor 22a when necessary.Section 11 and section 22 are fused together by using a solvent orsuitable adhesive on the meeting edges of section 11 and section 22. Forthis example the extended portion of conductor 22a is connected toconductor 22b. A metal bracket suitable for mounting the switch on apower lawn mower, is made with proper holes, with one end fastened underwasher 22c and the other end fastened at a convenient place on themower. The bracket also serves as an electrical conductor from theswitch to the metal of the mower. It is apparent that the switch bemounted in the same plane as the mower to function properly. A wire isconnected from the extended end of conductor 11a to the top of the sparkplug. The apparatus is now ready for operation. The engine is startedand the mower is then manuevered around a lawn. While pushed alongterrain that is not too hilly the action of the mower is the same as anyother device of this type, However, should the mower encounter anembankment whose angle is greater than the angle of the section 22female cone, the path in this case for the mercury M, the mercury willstart to flow out of the reservoir. If this angle of the terraincontinues or becomes greater the mercury M will continue to flow out ofits reservoir and will reach the area of conductor 11a and conductor22a. Mercury M will then bridge conductor 11a and conductor 22a causingthe lawn mower engine to stall because of the shunting of the hightension circuit to ground. To start the engine the lawn mower must beplaced in a more favorable position. This is to allow the mercury M toflow away from the area of conductor 11a and conductor 22a and towardthe reservoir. Should the mower encounter an embankment steep enough tocause it to overturn or upset the engine would stall and remain stalleduntil it is righted. It can be seen here that if the mower isdeliberately turned over for any reason, accidental starting of theengine is impossible. This is another feature of the switch. Because themercury M can bridge the conductor 11a and conductor 22a over a completecircle the switch can be tilted or upset in any direction and functionas described as 3 above. It must be recognized that the pool of mercuryM is in sufficient quantity to bridge the gap between conductors 11a and22a when the switch is tilted so that the mercury M flows in that partof the switch.

The following describes the operation of the device as a circuitbreaking switch using conductor 11b and conductor 22b. A power lawnmower is used in this case as was used in the previous description.However, it will be the primary side of the ignition system that will becontrolled and consequently the switch will be connected in thiscircuit. For this example conductors 11a and 22a are not involved andhave no connections to conductors 22a or 11a respectively. A wire issecured to conductor 11b by means of nut 11c and washer 11d. This wireis connected to the hot side of the primary so as to form a seriescircuit, in conjunction with the metal bracket, as mentioned in theprevious case. This entire circuitry is made possible by the metalbracket being secured to the switch through screw 22b which in turn iscontacted by conductor 11]) which is the adjustable conductor. Conductor1112 can be adjusted up or down depending on what angle is desired tobreak the circuit. However, conductor 11b must contact the mercury M tobegin the operation, Just as in the previous experiment the engine ofthe lawn mower is started and the machine is manuevered over a lawn. Aslong as the terrain encountered is not steep enough to allow asufficient amount of mercury M to flow out of the reservoir to break thecircuit the engine will not stall. Should a part of the terrainencountered then be steep enough to permit the mercury M to flow out ofits reservoir where conductors 11b and 22b are in electrical contactwith each, the circuit is broken and the engine will then stall.

It will be recognized that the slope of the female cone in section 22will determine at what angle the switch is to operate. Although theslope of the male cone and the slope of the female cone appear toparallel one another this does not have to be necessarily so. Thisfactor depends on the angles chosen to allow the switch to function. Inaddition the switch can be used as a single pole double throw switch byusing all of the conductors 11a, 11b, 22b and 22a. We may conclude fromthe above that either sections may serve as the top of the switch.

Various other modifications may be made in the arrangement, size,proportions and shapes of the illustrative embodiments shown and insubstitutions of elements from one embodiment to another withoutdeparting from the scope of our inventionv Having thus fully describedour invention and the manner in which it is to be practiced, we claim:

1. An electrical contacting device comprising a body in which a conicalslot fully circumferential is formed by a male and female cone, apex ofsaid female cone serving as a bowl for a moving electrical contact, saidmale and female cones having bases located in close proximity to oneanother to form a circumferential enclosure, said enclosure having twoconducting rings spaced apart, and having terminations outside of thesaid body, where electrical connections can be made for circuit wiring,said conducting rings when engaged by said moving electrical conductorwhich will move from said bowl when said body is tilted in any directionand moved to a point where first of said rings is engaged by movingelectrical conductor and any further tilting aiiording the second ofsaid rings to be also engaged, this action causing an electrical circuitto exist because of the connections outside of said body and any furthertilting toward the inverted position through globular direction willallow said circuit to be continued until and if position of said body isreturned by globular action to such a point Where said conducting ringsare no longer engaged by said electrical moving conductor.

2. A device such as described in claim 1, comprising an exactduplication of the structure in claim 1 with the addition of twocontacts, one in and through the apex of the said female cone andextending outside of the said body to act as a terminal for anelectrical circuit, said terminal in said female cone having contactsurface in apex of said female cone in which is also placed a movingelectrical conductor, said terminal of said female cone having threadsand being secured to said body by suitable hardware, a second contact inand through the apex of the said male cone and extending outside of saidbody to act as the second terminal of an electrical circuit is alsothreaded and secured to said body by suitable hardware, and in addition,is adjustable, this adjustment to be made on the outside of said body,said adjustment is used to vary angle of operation of said device byscrewing said contact further in or further out of said movingelectrical conductor.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,056,150 10/ 1936 Anguish et al20061.47 2,192,262 3/1940 Griesdieck 200-152 X 2,201,754 5/1940 Worth200-152 X 2,490,785 12/ 1949 De Vany 200-61.47 2,655,579 10/1953Burroughs 200-61.47 X 2,692,652 10/1954 Wilson 20061.47 X 2,792,4785/1957 Ackerman 200152 2,794,084 5/ 1957 Segoni 200l52 X 3,034,097 5/1962 English et al 200-61.4 X

ROBERT K. SCHAEFER, Primary Examiner. H. H OHAUSER, Assistant Examiner.

1. AN ELECTRICAL CONTACTING DEVICE COMPRISING A BODY IN WHICH A CONICALSLOT FULLY CIRCUMFERENTIAL IS FORMED BY A MALE AND FEMALE CONE, APEX OFSAID FEMALE CONE SERVING AS A BOWL FOR A MOVING ELECTRICAL CONTACT, SAIDMALE AND FEMALE CONES HAVING BASES LOCATED IN CLOSED PROXIMITY TO ONEANOTHER TO FORM A CIRCUMFERENTIAL ENCLOSURE, SAID ENCLOSURE HAVING TWOCONDUCTING RINGS SPACED APART, AND HAVING TERMINATIONS OUTSIDE OF THESAID BODY, WHERE ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS CAN BE MADE FOR CIRCUIT WIRING,SAID CONDUCTING RINGS WHEN ENGAGED BY SAID MOVING ELECTRICAL CONDUCTORWHICH WILL MOVE FROM SAID BOWL WHEN SAID BODY IS TILTED IN ANY DIRECTIONAND MOVED TO A POINT WHERE FIRST OF SAID RINGS IS ENGAGED BY MOVINGELECTRICAL CONDUCTOR AND ANY FURTHER TILTING AFFORDING THE SECOND OFSAID RINGS TO BE ALSO ENGAGED, THIS ACTION CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL CIRCUITTO EXIST BECAUSE OF THE CONNECTIONS OUTSIDE OF SAID BODY AND ANY FURTHERTILTING TOWARD THE INVERTED POSITION THROUGH GLOBULAR DIRECTION WILLALLOW SAID CIRCUIT TO BE CONTINUED UNITL AND IT POSITION OF SAID BODY ISRETURNED BY GLOBULAR ACTION OF SUCH A POINT WHERE SAID CONDUCTING RINGSARE NO LONGER ENGAGED BY SAID ELECTRICAL MOVING CONDUCTOR.